Blizzard Bonafide Skis 2014

When comparing the Blizzard Bonafide Skis to the Cochise or Bodacious, it might seem to be the "baby-bro" of the three. However, there is nothing juvenile about this immensely well-received ski. The Blizzard Bonafide Ski is the winner of numerous awards, praised for its all-mountain effectiveness, and sells out every year. Coming in at 98 mm underfoot, it is an ideal all mountain ripper for frontside skiers who don't want to limit their options when the pow hits. Unlike the Cochise and Bodacious, the Bonafide sports a generously cambered mid section for ultimate hard snow edging performance, while retaining moderate tip and tail rocker for the occasional powder day.

Flipcore 3D Technology - Unlike most other companies, who start with a cambered core and "bend" it in the mold to create a rockered ski, Blizzard starts with a rockered core and components in the first place - everything goes into the press in the same shape as it comes out. Sound like marketing BS? Sure, except for the fact the the Flipcore skis have received almost universal praise from experts in their short time on the market. Maybe Blizzard is onto something here . . .

We recommend a brake width equal to or at most 15 mm wider than the ski waist width.

Specs

Terrain:All-Mountain, Carving

All-Mountain

All-mountain skis are designed to handle anything you throw at them including powder, ice, groomers, steeps, heavy snow, and everything in between, but they aren’t necessarily a master of any one terrain. If you’re only going to own one ski to do it all, this is what you want. All-mountain skis generally have what we call mid-fat waists that range from 80-110 mm.

Carving

For those that like the classic feeling of laying a ski over on edge and arcing a perfect turn, carving skis are what you want. These skis have narrower waists and shorter turn radii for edge to edge quickness and responsive turn initiation and exit on groomed runs and hard pack. The beginner-intermediate skis in this category are designed to make learning how to turn as easy as going from pizza to French fries.

Ability Level:Intermediate-Advanced

Intermediate-Advanced

The majority of skiers/snowboarders fall into this level, whether you like to carve on groomers or venture into the powder. These skis/snowboards may be somewhat wider than beginner-intermediate skis, usually with a stronger wood core and sandwich sidewall construction. Depending on the type of ski, intermediate-advanced level skis may have full camber, rocker, or some combination of the two.

Rocker Type:Rocker/Camber/Rocker

Rocker/Camber/Rocker

Rocker/Camber/Rocker skis have the playfulness and float of a rockered ski as will as the added edge hold of a cambered ski. The contact points on skis with this profile are closer towards the middle of the ski than a fully cambered ski, but still not underfoot. The cambered midsection provides a longer effective edge on hardpack, increasing edge hold and stability, while the rockered tip and tail provide floatation in deeper snow and allow the ski to initiate and release from turns easier.

Turning Radius:Medium

Medium

17-22 m radius is best for all-mountain and park & pipe.

Core/Laminates:Bamboo, Metal, Wood

Tail Type:Partial Twin Tip

Partial Twin Tip

Partial twin tip skis have a tail that is turned up, but not as much as the tip. This gives you the ability to ski backwards and back out of tight spaces, but these skis are mainly designed to ski forward.

These skis were Marshawn Lynch of skis. Powered through all type of terrain and all over the mountain. I am a bigger guy and ski aggressively and the Bonafide reacted quickly and with ease. They plowed through anything like Lynch to the Broncos D.

Bought these skis based solely on reviews having been snowboarding the past 14 years. I sometimes find products don't always live up to the hype. These skis were all that and made me look good. They were stable at speed, good in the bumps and all business on edge. The only thing I noticed from my skis of the past was these didn't have explosive tail energy at the finish of a turn, but as I age, I don't miss it. The rocker on these skis also don't demand much forward drive on the front of the ski to carve, which is nice as you tire near the end of the day.